ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University volleyball team (18-6, 16-2 GNAC) finished the regular season with a sweep over the Western Oregon University Wolves (15-12, 7-11 GNAC), and a postgame championship presentation.
 
Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"It was so great to see our seniors go out in Nicholson with a win and conference championship. These five players have put in so much work over the years and for them to achieve this in their final season is incredible. We talked as a team and the seniors wanted to make sure everyone got in this last game and could help us win. They wanted to cut down the nets knowing this was a team accomplishment and that everyone made this happen. That's the kind of leadership we have."
 
How It Happened
The Wildcats swept the Wolves by scores of 25-15 (Set One), 25-13 (Set Two), and 25-23 (Set Three). Central had already won the GNAC title on Thursday after they defeated Saint Martin's 3-0, and Simon Fraser eventually lost to Alaska Fairbanks later in the evening, sealing the championship for the Crimson and Black.
 
The 'Cats were led by Scottie Ellsworth, who led the team in kills (nine) and points overall (11.5), and Emma Daoud-Hebert, who followed in kills (eight) and led in blocks (3.0). Daoud-Hebert also led in hitting overall with a .700 percentage. Kayleigh-Shay Chang fed the offensive hitters with 17 assists. Hannah Stires kept the Wildcats' opportunities alive with her 22 digs.
 
Western Oregon started the match with two quick points to lead early, but CWU flipped the script, scoring five straight points. WOU scored two more points to trail 5-4, and Central answered with four more to lead 9-4. The Wolves tried to keep the set close, but the 'Cats had built a rhythm and continued to build on their lead. Then, with the score at 24-14 and set point looming, Chloe Asciutto earned a kill for the Wolves but was answered by Corinne Westby with a kill that closed set one 25-15 for the Crimson and Black.
 
The Wildcats continued their momentum into the second set, going on an 11-2 run. WOU scored two points, but Central Washington appeared to have an answer for any chance for the Wolves. CWU kept the throttle on as they built on the lead up to set point with the score at 24-12. Another kill from Asciutto gave the Wolves a chance to serve, but a service error closed out the second set for Central 25-13.
 
Set three proved to be a more competitive battle between the teams as Western Oregon took an early lead and both teams traded the lead throughout the first half of the set. No team wanted to give an edge in the set as the score remained tied at 20-20. The teams traded a point and then the Wildcats scored three points to force match point. The Wolves responded with two and threatened to tie it back up. However, Ellsworth got the chance and got the kill to win set three 25-23 and seal the sweep of the Wolves.
 
Up Next
The Wildcats earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs and will wait to hear who they will face for the NCAA West Region Tournament.